STATEments

Mapping Government IT

Kansas and EDS struck a six-year, $160 million deal to transform the administrative and operational processes that support the state's Medicaid program. The company will implement its interChange Medicaid Management Information System, a Web-based interface that should help the state process medical claims more efficiently.

The Commercial Mobile Radio Service Board (CMRS) and the Kentucky Governor's Office for Technology doled out $5 million in enhanced 911 funding to call centers throughout the state in February. The money will be paid to 79 wireless 911-call centers, to wireless carriers for technology upgrades and to the CMRS.

Researchers at Nicholls State University, in Louisiana, and Texas A&M are using the Internet to try to save oyster crops from a deadly parasite. An online forecast tool was developed to help oyster fishermen predict when water conditions are right for a parasite that kills up to half of the annual oyster crop in Louisiana and Texas. -- USA Today

The Center for e-Service at the University of Maryland announced a three-year agreement with IBM to advance electronic services in government. The center will research areas such as defining the economic impact of electronic services in government and enhancing awareness of the benefits of e-government.

Michigan's Department of Education rolled out the Michigan Electronic Grants System (MEGS) in late January. The MEGS automates the entire grant-application process for educational programs, including administering and managing the funds once they're distributed.

Schools in Nebraska can now sign up for the "INET School Nurse" -- an interactive, online, fee-based telemedicine assistance program. INET nurses have extensive specialized training in areas that are common to schools, such as asthma, diabetes, hair lice, injury, adolescent development, sex education and allergies.

Ohio added new functionality to its Law Enforcement Automated Data System to facilitate data sharing among agencies across the state. Through the Internet, law enforcement officials will be able to contribute and access data concerning suspected criminal activity categorized by type of incident, threat groups and location of the offense.

The Oklahoma Arts Council has transferred its entire grant application process online, making Arts Council grants into a self-service program that benefits applicants and council staff. Applicants are now able to track information throughout the life cycle of a grant, and the Arts Council is expecting grant status inquiries by phone and e-mail to decrease.

Virginia's Senate approved a bill in February that would allow police officers to collect DNA samples from people accused, but not convicted, of violent felonies. The state's House passed a similar bill, and, if the governor signs it, the state would be the first to collect DNA samples from suspects who haven't been convicted. -- The Virginian-Pilot

Some members of West Virginia's House of Representatives are surfing the Web during floor sessions, and breaking a rule set by the House Speaker that forbids the activity. The rule was implemented to discourage delegates from communicating with lobbyists or government officials during floor sessions. -- The Charleston Daily Mail